foreign agricultural service gain report global agriculture information network voluntary public distribution date 11 22 2002 fr2079 france food processing ingredients sector approved by kurt seifarth us embassy prepared roselyne gauthier highlights the french is europe s largest with estimated sales of 117 6 billion in calendar year 2001 it a leader technology and innovation increasing demand for dietetic healthy organic foods has triggered rise specialized biggest competitors are germany belgium united kingdom italy netherlands includes psd changes no trade matrix annual paris fr1 fr page 1 9 unclassified usda average exchange rates cy2000 usd ff 7 euros 084 cy2001 32 116 source fmi i market summary offers excellent opportunities domestic processed continue to strong from hri individual consumers led more than 4 000 companies make up